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Monthly Archives: November 2012

My favorite holiday (Thanksgiving – stretchy pants day!) is in less than a week. I love everything about Turkey Day – especially the sides – but also that it is the official start of the holiday season. Which means holiday parties! And of course, deciding what to wear to those holiday parties. We teamed with Revlon this month to share some festive party hair and makeup inspiration. We promise – this look is quick and easy but will make it look like you spent a ton of time glamming it up.

Hair accessories very in the moment right now, so the look in the video centers around a statement hair jewel. I pulled my hair (which is now past the middle of my back) into a side bun and secured it with clear elastics before affixing a sparkly clip. My hair is far too long to use the clip to hold all of my hair so this alleviates the stress of a potential hair mishap mid-party. My makeup is simple with a bright red lip, which is always perfect but especially so during the holidays. I’m wearing Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Cherry Blossom, which is one of those classic colors that will work for everyone.

For more statement hair looks, click on over here to see the other Revlon bloggers in action.

NOTE: Click on the video image above to watch.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. Revlon has contracted us to develop videos each month to highlight trends on InStyle.com.

Birchbox delivery days are almost always the high point of my month. Side note: today will be that day, as my box is currently out for delivery with my local USPS. Beyond just the obvious joy a box of beauty goodies brings me, Birchbox has also introduced me to some awesome “extras” — like the Mighty Leaf Green Tropical Tea (the best), the Twistband and even stylish plastic zip bags. So today’s news of a limited edition Birchbox Home and Holiday Pop-Up shop is truly exciting. The limited edition box, priced at $58 (with a $140+ value) is a must-gift for the holidays — for yourself or the hostess who graciously opens her home to you on Thanksgiving AND Christmas (in my case, my sister — sorry for the spoiler, Tricia!)

Mark your calendars, tonight the brand that brings together two of my favorite things (quality skin care and wine!) will be hosting its first Facebook Fête! Yes, Caudalie will host a Q&A on Facebook tonight, Wednesday, November 14, from 8-10 p.m. (eastern). Caudalie founder Mathilde Thomas will answer your most pressing skincare questions and also offer special shopping offers and giveaways during the Q&A.

My nails have crossed on over to the bright side this week with the obsession-worthy Essie Butler Please. This snazzy cobalt blue is just everything right now. It looks so sharps on nails and is one of those colors I see wearing the heck out of from now until next summer. Butler Please even inspired this purchase from Ann Taylor Loft yesterday. This shade is a pop of bright in an otherwise dynamic and exciting Essie Winter Collection.

And for you second dose of must-have, have you seen the Essie + Bauble Bar collab?

Nail polish is the ultimate accessory, so this collab is perfect! Pick your Essie winter polish and its accompanying bangle, then pick two more bracelets and the whole bundle will be delivered to you in a cute carrying case. Check it our here!

We love indulgent beauty splurges, but there’s nothing like the satisfaction of discovering a hidden gem at the drugstore. Here are our picks for what is a must at the drugstore right now, all for $10 or less.

CoverGirl Clump Crusher Mascara ($8) is the latest in the Lash Blast family, and I’m obsessed. I’ve recommended this to no fewer than 7 people in the last few days and all are loving it as I am. The claims of up to 30 strokes is true (Product Girl-verified) and the brush is almost like a lash comb in that it is impossible to clump. Major lengthening here, and no smudging or flaking. It’s so new it’s not online yet, but you should be able to find these at your local Walgreen’s.

L’Oreal Colour Riche Nail Colour in Haute Couture Red ($5.99) is that perfect vampy oxblood shade that is all the rage this season. L’Oreal’s formula is pretty stellar – no streaking, goopiness and it wears amazing all week. I’m on Day 5 with this shade and no chips or obvious tip wear.

Dove Purely Pampering Body Wash ($5) is a new addition to Dove’s endless offerings of body wash. I love the aroma of the Coconut Milk with Jasmine Petals, and even though it isn’t a natural body wash (which I prefer these days), it’s non-irritating and leaves my skin feeling clean and moisturized. Dove, I just will never be able to quit you!

Aveeno Pure Renewal Dry Shampoo($7.99) smells amazing. It’s more of a “wet” dry shampoo, but doesn’t weigh down the hair and gives me the volume I seek from a no-wash ‘poo. Aveeno left out the sulfates and instead added seaweed extract.

Blistex Moisture Melt($1.89) and Blistex Simple and Sensitive ($1.29) are the brand’s newest lip essentials. This is a brand I always associate with winter — my husband is addicted and like me, stashes a balm in every coat pocket. At under $2, you can afford to stash these all over the place at work and home. I love the Simple and Sensitive under lipsticks and the fact that it only has six ingredients.

And, bonus, team Blistex is giving three Product Girl readers the entire product line (yes, all of it!), which will obviously include a set of the new Moisture Melt and Simple and Sensitive products! Leave a comment on this post by Tuesday, November 13, and we’ll pick three winners at random.

Want support Hurrican Sandy relief efforts? Urban Decay will be donating 100% of the profits from today’s sales to the American Red Cross. This is a chance to stock up on your favorite UD goods while doing something good for our friends on east coast affected by the hurricane. Every little bit helps so open your wallet and your heart today.

Tis the season for Friends & Family sales. If you’re a planner like we fancy ourselves to be, you’ll take advantage of these opportunities to snag some amazing holiday gifts. And maybe a little treat for yourself, too. Beauty.com has its 20% F&F sale going on through Friday, November 9, and it’s definitely worth checking out. They’ve added a ton of new brands to the site, many that don’t normally go on sale. We were excited to see the luxe Sunday Riley, organic powerhouse Vapour and hair genius Sarah Potempa (Beachwaver, anyone?)!

Here’s our top Beauty.com F&F picks!

bareMinerals Light Up The Room Collection($39), a.k.a. Do it for the Well-Rested Face & Eye Brightener (raves seen here previously). We also love the Renew & Hydrate Eye Cream, Illuminating Mineral Veil and Prime Time Brightening Eyelid Prime with its pretty gold sheen action.

Rahua Shampoo($32, 9.3 oz) has been on my radar forever. It has a cult following of sorts (especially in the natrual and I’ve only heard amazing things. Time to try, right? It’s 100% natural with coconut and shea butters and even some quinoa to help with moisture retention.

Sarah Potempa Mini “Touch Up” Iron($35), Discovering Sarah Potempa, celeb hair guru and creator of the most user-friendly tools for us gals at home, was a highlight of 2012 for me. I’m sure her mini flat iron, coated with ceramic and tourmaline, obviously, will be a travel and gym bag staple for me. Totally loving the case, too!

Mally High Shine Liquid Lipstick Trio($30) is so very gorgois , as Ms. Mally would say. Breaks down to $10 per tube pre-discount, so it’s a no-brainer must. Mally’s liquid lipstick is one of the best and these colors are so wearable. A great gift for any woman in your life.

Sunday Riley Effortless Breathable Tinted Primer($48), is a product I’ve been very curious about. It’s a multi-purpose primer/skin plumper with peptides and Rejuvenox that basically keeps skin breathing and drenched in oxygen. The presence of a tint gives me hope that this could work in place of foundation on some days!

If you’re interested in shopping the sale, click here. Let us know your top F&F picks!

This past weekend, I had the urge to put up a Christmas tree. I know, I’m what’s wrong with this world. I blame my sister who had the same thought and planted it in my head. It’s contagious, and you’re all welcome in advance. I’m ultimately waiting until Thanksgiving to put up the tree, but in the meantime, I will be indulging in a little holiday makeup action. First up, MAC Glamour Daze. This collection feels very January to me, in that it’s not overly red and gold as so many other holiday collections usually are but instead cool and neutral. We’ve got a fab-tastic taupe eye shadow and the re-launch of the best highlighters MAC has put out in years.

Here’s the collection rundown and the glamour goods we think are musts!

First, the Extra Dimension Skinfinish ($29, limited edition) is back. And when we are given a second chance at amazing highlighters, we take it as a sign that it’s meant to be. They are extremely metallic at first glance but look beautiful on the skin. I think they’re universal for all skin tones, and both work on me. Superb is a more rosy gold that is just stunning!

We’re also welcoming the re-launch of the Extra Dimension Eyeshadow ($19.50, limited edition), albeit in a tinier compact. While the higher price/less product ratio gets an eye roll, the extremely wearable colors get a thumbs up. Honestly, they’re all stunning.

A Natural Flirt, Soft peachy nude *Product Girl pick

Evening Grey, Steel silver

Divine Blue, Mid-tone aqua

Ready to Party, Pale lilac

Round Midnight, Dark burgundy

Stolen Moment, Dark taupe *Product Girl pick

Stylishly Merry, Mid-tone dusty violet

Tall, Dark, & Handsome, Black with pearl

Always one to get excited about new Fluidlines ($16.50, limited edition), I actually thought these were a bit off. I wish they were Paint Pots instead.

Maybe I’m used to MAC collections of yester-years, but it feels that with every new launch the Nail Polish ($17.50, limited edition) costs more. That said, there are a few worthy colors of your dollars.

It’s Election Day and team Product Girl is urging you to get out there and exercise your right to vote! Whether you’re team “O-Bama Orange” or “Mint Romney” (according to Bliss’ eau-lection body lotions!), it’s important to be involved. And on the bright side, all of the political ads will be over come Wednesday. As someone who conducted exit polls for fun in college, I can’t wait to see the democratic process in action. My only gripe? I early voted and I didn’t get my sticker this year!

As I have gotten older, I’ve learned to appreciate my oily skin. After all, that excess oil will help my skin looking younger than my dry skinned counterparts. I’m always trying new skincare, I like to say it’s part of my job but it also makes it hard to stick with a routine consistently. Recently I have incorporated a few products from the Avene Cleanance line help me balance my oily skin.

The first is Avene’s Cleanance Emulsion Lotion. This has been my go-to moisturizer for the better part of this year. I picked it up for the first time during a trip to New York in January and I’m now on my third tube. This is a cream-gel that quickly sinks into skin and disappears without a trace. It does a good job of hydrating my skin even now in drier weather and is rich enough for me to use as a night cream. I’ve yet to find a product that keeps me shine free all day long but this lotion gives me just enough hydration and helps keep my skin matte well into the afternoon. Oh, and it’s a 1/3 of the cost of the moisturizer I was previously obsessed with!